It's been that time of year again when men with matches go around harassing their neighbours with the loudest fireworks their money can buy.

But this year in Arnside someone really took the proverbial biscuit. At ten to four on New Year's Day morning half the village must have been woken by a fusillade of bangs coming from the Black Dyke Road area.

It went on for a good five minutes and windows were rattling. Our old dog was terrified and shaking with fear. It took quite some time to calm her down.

I guess the kind of unneighbourly people who set off these fireworks don't read the Gazette, but can I please use this letter as a reminder to any of your readers who may be tempted to put on a private firework 'show' to think hard about the rest of the community - the young, the sick, the elderly and animals, who will be disturbed and in some cases badly frightened. Please don't do it.

Dr Bill Johnston

Arnside